The Pulpit

Last Tuesday at a leadership discussion held by my pastor, he let me know I would be introducing the Foundations of Faith growth group I will be leading to the church. I'd be lying to say I didn't give what I was going to say much thought 2 minutes up and out I've done it before. That is until I stood next to the PULPIT. Public speaking isn't something I dread and have found to be effective at.

I was called up to the stage to speak and all was good then my eyes connected with that pulpit and a new weight fell on my shoulders. My mind went blank as my leg started to shake. My left arm began to lift up outwards, which I call my Holy Spirit meter, uncontrollably. The first service my pastor had to walk over and put his arm around me as I stumbled through what I was trying to say. I felt like running behind him. The second service wasn't such a disaster but I cant quite remember what was said.

I once stood behind the pulpit staring into an empty auditorium, for about 5 seconds until I felt uncomfortable and stepped away. Talk about a nerve wracking burden. At least my class is in front of the pulpit. It seems the place I'm called to is the very same place I'd rather not be.